Brussels Terror Attacks

On Tuesday, March 22, 2016, Brussels, Belgium had three bombings during the morning rush.  The first two bombs were at 8:00 a.m. local time (3:00 a.m. eastern time) in the Zaventem International Airport, killing 11, and another bomb an hour later at the Maelbeek metro station killing 21.  Overall over 300 people were wounded in the three blasts.

The attacks followed the arrest of Europe’s most wanted man, Salah Abdeslam, the french bomber, on March 18.  Police believe that this attack would have been later but because of the arrest of Salah Abdeslam it was moved up on the timeline.  Nine people have been arrested. (who were linked to this attack and the Paris attacks.)

ISIS claimed responsibility for these attacks that were carried out by three members.  Two brothers, Ibrahim and Khalid El Bakraoui died in the attacks, both Belgium citizens with criminal records not linked with ISIS until Tuesday, March 15, three days before the arrest of Salah Abdeslam and seven days before the attacks in belgium.  Najim Laachraoui was the third suicide bomber who has been in several terrorist attacks.

In a police raid of the El Brakraoui brothers house they found nail bombs like the ones used, chemical products, and an ISIS flag.